The Benefits of Morning Meditation: Start Your Day with Clarity and Transform Your Life
Ever rise with your head spinning, stuck on chores waiting while you’re still under the covers? Life moves fast these days, so it’s no surprise that dawn feels like panic mode kicking in. Yet imagine flipping the script – just by sitting quietly for a short stretch when everyone else is asleep.
Over at the Himalayan Yoga Academy – sitting right where yoga began – we show folks how starting early shapes a calm, focused, day with real direction. Waking up quiet, sitting still: it’s an easy habit that clears your head, steadies your mood. Yet if you’re looking to go further, this small routine kicks off something bigger – leading into our Yoga Teacher Training or unfolding gently through a retreat experience.
Why Meditate in the Morning?
The early part of the day feels different. Your thoughts are clear, calm, yet wide open – no noise crowding them like later on. That’s why it works so well to lay down your plan right then. Swap scrolling for sitting still, breathe instead of reacting, and suddenly you’re steering your focus rather than drifting with distractions.
5 Powerful Benefits of a Morning Meditation Practice
1. Unshakable Mental Clarity and Focus
Meditation gives your mind a fresh start. When you sit quietly, old stresses and future fears slowly fade away. As that happens, confusion lifts – your thoughts get clearer, attention improves; choices feel easier. You move through the day quieter inside, more balanced, grounded.
2. A Natural Shield Against Stress and Anxiety
Beginning each morning with quiet focus builds a mental cushion that helps handle tough moments. Instead of spikes in stress chemicals, your system eases into calm mode early on. When pressure shows up later, it doesn’t throw you sideways – your reactions stay steady, even when things get messy. Rather than flipping into fear, you move through problems smoothly.
3. A Day Fueled by Purpose, Not Chance
A morning moment of stillness works like a personal compass. Use this calm to plant a small aim – a sankalpa – like “I’ll stay gentle today,” or “I’ll walk with thanks.” Doing so turns ordinary hours into something guided, not just tossed by chance.
4. Deepened Mind-Body Connection
While you sit quietly, your attention to what’s happening right now gets stronger. Because of this shift, when you move through poses later, each one feels clearer, steadier, better connected. Instead of simply going through motions, you actually live inside every stretch and breath.
5. Sustainable Energy (Better Than Caffeine!)
Though coffee zaps you awake – then dumps you flat, meditation boosts energy that sticks around. It quiets your nerves while ramping up oxygen, fueling both brain and body without the fade. You end up sharp, calm, actually recharged – not just wired on fumes.
How to Start Your Morning Meditation Practice in 5 Simple Steps
You don’t have to wait for quiet moments. Begin right now – just jump in
- Find Your Spot – Pick somewhere calm, cozy.
- Stick to 5 minutes – just go for five or ten. Doing it regularly matters more than how long you do it.
- Sit easy – on a pillow with your back upright or just in a seat. Stay awake but loose.
- Pay attention to how you breathe – shut your eyes, then just notice the way air moves in and out without changing it.
- Every time thoughts drift – sure, they will – just bring attention back to breathing, easy-like, no blame.
From Morning Ritual to Life Transformation: Deepen Your Journey with Us
Though doing it on your own helps, being part of a focused space brings deeper change that sticks. That’s when your journey with Himalayan Yoga Academy really starts moving forward.
Option 1: Immerse Yourself in a Yoga Retreat
Picture this – your usual morning calm, only now it’s way up in the Himalayas, where quiet meets raw nature. Not at home, but out there, breathing with mountains around. These yoga trips? They’re made to reset you from within while building a daily rhythm that sticks. No fluff, just real practice in wild stillness.
What You’ll Experience:
- Start your day calm with meditation and yoga – learn hands-on tips right after getting up.
- Take a break from screens – enjoy fresh air instead, eat real meals, or share time with people who lift you up.
- Get back feeling refreshed – bring calm and focus to your everyday routine.
A getaway can help you hit pause – then build your daily routine within a space that shifts your mindset. Instead of just reacting, you’re creating room to grow through fresh surroundings.
Option 2: Master the Art with Yoga Teacher Training
If you’re drawn to live and share yoga – not just do it – our training is your next step. Mornings here start with meditation, no exceptions, shaping everything that follows.
How YTT Will Transform You:
- Get deep into meditation and philosophy – explore breathing techniques, mindfulness practices, while uncovering old-school insights that go past surface-level stuff.
- Cultivate steady self-control – our organized routine turns early mindfulness into a core part of your day.
- Get ready to help others – through practice, you’ll gain the skills to guide meditation sessions while spreading calm thinking far and wide.
- Real roots from the Himalayas – get trained by genuine teachers where yoga began, so your journey gains real meaning.
Your Journey to Clarity Begins with a Single Breath
The road to changing your life begins with one quiet second of awareness. Begin tiny. When you wake up tomorrow, give yourself a short moment of quiet – just five minutes. Take a seat, inhale slowly, while noticing what’s around. Notice how it shifts your mood.
Start by picturing something bold. See how that calm instant could stretch into seven days of deep stillness at a Yoga Retreat – or maybe flip your whole path with a hands-on dive into our Yoga Teacher Training.
Ready to answer the call from within?
Explore our life-enriching [Yoga Training Packages] or take the leap with our accredited [Yoga Teacher Training ]. Let the Himalayas be your guide home to clarity.
Guided or quiet meditation – which fits your vibe?
Over in Kathmandu, right at the Himalayan Yoga Academy, folks regularly ask us – “How should I meditate?” Honestly? No one method fits all. Everyone’s journey inward looks different. Some lean into Guided Meditation; others go quiet and choose Silent Meditation instead.
Still, picking one – what guides your choice? Could it be one’s simply stronger on its own?
In this piece, we’ll look at what sets guided and silent meditation apart, their perks, along with who suits each best. Once you’re through, you’ll clearly know which method fits your present situation and helps you move forward in self-exploration surrounded by Nepal’s peaceful spiritual vibe.
What is Guided Meditation?
Picture this: a kind, thoughtful guide helping you explore the twists and turns of your inner world, step by step. This is what guided meditation’s really about. Instead of going it alone, you follow someone’s voice – live or recorded – who guides your focus, shares calming images, or walks you through a set routine designed to settle the mind.
Key Benefits of Guided Meditation:
- Great for newbies: It lays things out simply, so it’s not overwhelming when you’re just starting meditation. This walkthrough shows you where to direct attention – and when to shift it.
- Calms the mind – using an outside voice gives your busy thoughts something to do, so worries don’t spiral as much.
- Targeted Sessions: You can discover guided sessions aimed at particular aims – say, cutting stress, getting better sleep, showing more compassion, or supporting recovery.
- Deep relaxation: happens when gentle voices pair with soft tunes, helping you unwind fast – while peaceful sounds blend into the background, tension slips away. A calm voice guides you down, merging with quiet melodies that ease your mind – so you drift into stillness without effort.
Who is Guided Meditation For?
Guided meditation might suit you if:
- You’re just starting out with meditation.
- You notice your thoughts drifting way too much yet crave something steady.
- You’re aiming for something clear – maybe handling stress better or getting more rest at night.
- You like routines that have clear steps, while also finding images in your mind helpful.
What is Silent Meditation?
Sitting quietly by yourself – that’s silent meditation – means no one leads you through it. Back in the day, people high up in the Himalayas did this kind of thing all the time. Over here in Nepal, we’ve kept that old habit alive. You might watch your breathing, let ideas come and go without grabbing onto them, or keep saying a word inside your head.
Key Benefits of Silent Meditation:
- You start relying on yourself – figuring out your inner thoughts without help, which helps you grow a steady routine that’s truly yours.
- Becomes clearer inside: when no outside talk’s around, you notice your thoughts, moods, how your mind really works – almost like it shows itself more plainly.
- Boosts self-control and attention: staying sharp without help grows mental strength along with focus over time.
- Finds deep meaning: When noise fades, stillness opens space for real clarity – linking you to your inner truth.
Who is Silent Meditation For?
Silent meditation fits well if:
- You’ve tried meditation a bit, so sitting quietly with your mind doesn’t seem strange.
- You want to grow a stronger feel for inner control, while also building trust in yourself.
- You’re pulled toward age-old meditation ways from the Himalayas – ones passed down through generations, shaped by silence and snow.
- You’re trying to step out of rigid routines into simply existing.
Guided or quiet – here’s a fast look at both
| Feature | Guided Meditation | Silent Meditation |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | High (led by a guide) | Low (self-directed) |
| Best For | Beginners, busy minds | Experienced practitioners, self-discovery |
| Focus | External anchor (voice) | Internal anchor (breath, mantra) |
| Goal | Relaxation, specific outcomes | Insight, discipline, self-awareness |
So, Which One is Right for YOU?
The cool thing? You’re not stuck with just one choice for good – your routine can shift over time. See guided meditation like training wheels: it gives you backup and the push to start moving. When things feel steady, slowly switch over to quiet sessions, opening up the wide space inside your awareness.
Plenty of experienced meditators – even instructors at the Himalayan Yoga Academy in Kathmandu – mix different methods. Instead of sticking to one style, they may start with a guided body scan just to unwind, yet switch to silent Vipassana or repeat mantras during their morning session.
Our Recommendation for a Balanced Practice:
Try guided meditation first: when you’re just starting out, aim for around ten to fifteen minutes each day. That way, you slowly get into a steady routine.
Sit quietly for a couple minutes once the guidance ends – just notice your breathing without saying anything. Instead of talking, stay still and pay attention to each inhale and exhale on your own.
Slowly add more quiet time: once it feels easier, stretch out the silent part when you meditate.
Find a guide in Nepal: If you really want to grow your quiet meditation skills, sitting near seasoned mentors amid the high mountains makes a big difference. Because they’ve walked the path, they can share custom methods while you face tough moments.
Deepen Your Practice at the Himalayan Yoga Academy in Kathmandu
Whether you are taking your first steps or seeking to deepen an existing practice, the spiritual energy of Kathmandu provides the perfect backdrop. Our Yoga and Meditation Retreats in Nepal and Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal are designed to guide you through these profound practices.
Under the guidance of our expert teachers, you will learn the foundational techniques of both guided and silent meditation, discovering the path that best supports your journey to peace, clarity, and ultimate well-being.
Ready to find your perfect meditation match in Nepal? Explore our courses and begin your transformation today.
The Magic of Pashupatinath: A Spiritual Experience in Kathmandu
The Pashupatinath Temple is built on the edge of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. Its location is of such importance that Pashupatinath is the spiritual center of the nation while simultaneously being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As such, the Pashupatinath Temple Complex has served as a retreat for many seekers and sadhus for many centuries, devoting their lives to the inquiry of higher planes of existence. Thus, for the people interested in the practices of yoga and meditation, Pashupatinath is not a normal tourist site, Pashupatinath is considered a unique site for teachings on the principles surrounding the cycle of childbirth, death and moksha.
When you enter through the gates of Pashupatinath Temple, you encounter the reality of yoga in the form of a living artwork. In it, the almighty Shiva is the focal point and the throne of the devotion, while simultaneously being the timeless guardian of India.
The Pashupatinath: The Lord of all beings
Among the many Pashupatinath temples, the most revered is the Jyotirlinga Pashupatinath. It is the Pashupatinath which dedicates himself to the Pashupat, his incarnation of the Lord of all beings, which is the most fundamental.
This refers to the Pashu subduing the base instincts through the inner Pati Pashu, the latent inner Pati Pashu – the divinity. The Pashu yogi seeks to subdue the mind and the senses to actualize the inner divinity who is peaceful in order to attain Self realization. The sacred mandir, with exquisite pagoda style architecture and gilt rooftops, possesses the holy lingam. Although entry to the inner sanctum is permitted only to the Hindus, the powerful aura of the Pashupatinath resonates throughout the entire complex, manifesting a sense of sanctity that is available to all.
A Living Lesson in Impermanence and Detachment
A less distracted and bare influence of this Pashupatinath, and the most captivating part, is the open-air rest ghats and the cremation sites along the Bagmati River. While the funeral pyres and the ceremony to the dead might appear to be intense light, it is a clear direct lit glimpse of the yoga philosophy, divided into Eastern and Western sides, of Non-attachment, and the Philosophy of Illusion.
The sages of the ancient days used to say that to understand life, you must understand death. Watching the cycle of life and death at the ghats acts as a powerful motivator to live a purposeful life, practice detachment in devotion so as to unfold the squeezing that encloses the inner light and open to the more vibrant life beyond. You can see your practice Ram on the yoga mat yoga principles in action.
Sadhus: Paradigms of Renunciation
Your visit to Pashupatinath will most probably make you encounter the Sadhus: Hindu ascetics who left the material world in search of spiritual liberation. These ascetics, caked with ash, matted hair, and covered with colorful robes, are extreme wandering monks and are rubrics of the utmost commitment and devotion to their practice.
Interacting with a Sadhu, with the utmost care and in the proper manner, can be a fascinating encounter. The mere fact of their existence is a lesson in Vairagya, dispassion, and in Tapas, austerity, and their presence urges many to disengage from the ordinary and engage with the timeless.
A Place of Stillness and Contemplation
Beyond the main temple, the complex unfolds into a maze of small shrines, statues, and serene courtyards. Sit on the stone steps overlooking the river, and close your eyes. The river with its gentle yet powerful flow, the incense and marigolds, the rhythmic prayers, and the powerful chant of “Om Namah Shivaya” merge into a symphony, painting a landscape that sets the perfect atmosphere to incorporate the flow of spontaneous meditation on that river.
Planning Your Spiritual Visit: Suggestions for Yoga Practitioners
- Best time to visit: Early in the the morning and in the evening is the most spiritually enhance time.The Maha Shivaratri festival makes the temple a fascinating confluence of followers.
- Attend the Aarti: Attending the evening Aarti ritual beside the Bagmati River is a deeply immersive experience. The sound of the palms together with the chanting, the ringing of the bells, and the graceful movements of the diyas offers a profoundly empowering feeling.
- Customs Etiquette: Dress appropriately by covering your shoulders and knees with a shawl, and consider that the main temple area is reserved for Hindu devotees, the temple surroundings offer a rich experience.
- Mindfulness: Observe, without participation: the Sakshi Bhava, or the state of the silent witness. You are the subject as well as the object: rituals, others, and your thoughts without labeling any of them. This immersion, this observation is a meditation.
Incorporating your visit to Pashupatinath into your yoga practice is and offers a perfect opportunity to practice and share with others what is different.
In Himalayan Yoga Academy, it is our belief that yoga is a complete an all encompassing science of life and living, not solely the asana poses of yoga. A visit to Pashupatinath strengthens our yoga teacher training and silent meditation retreats in Nepal. You can:
- Reflect on the Philosophy: Observe the exercises of karma, dharma, and moksha as they take form.
- Enhance Your Meditation: Be in a place that offers stillness, and the capacity for deeper silence.
- Cultivate Compassion:The ability to empathize and fully understand someone else’s perspective is assigned to those who can look at life in all its facets.
The magic of Pashupatinath has to be the awakening of the spirit. It confronts, it consoles, and it heals. It is the most important part of the pilgrimage for any practitioner of yoga to the Himalayas.
Are you prepared to step into a pilgrimage of your own?
Begin your journey of self-discovery with our Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal and Meditation Retreats, designed to let you experience life-changing yoga that draws energy and wisdom from the roots of Pashupatinath.
Exploring Different Types of Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal
Exploring different types of Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal from Hatha to Vinyasa and More. Through exercise comes Yoga, with Yoga comes understanding, with understanding comes love, and with love comes bliss. Yoga is one of the excellent sports to loosen up your frame, mind, and soul. The artwork of Yoga originated in Nepal. It has numerous locations of obscurity and uncertainty due to the fact its transformation has been carried out orally. The development of yoga may be traced returned to 5000 years ago. It changed into evolved via way of means of the Indus-Sarasvati civilization within side the Northern part of India and Nepal as well.
The Rig Veda additionally mentions the phrase Yoga. Over time Yoga has been slowly redefined and is specifically utilized by Brahmans and Rishis. The trend of Yoga Teacher Training is famous around the world as it provides a perfect chance to learn something and enhance your knowledge as well as take your yoga and lifestyle to another mode. Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal is famous for learning yoga in the most amazing locations and for teachers who have practiced traditional yoga in a traditional environment.
This changed into the pre-classical age of yoga which changed into a mishmash of numerous ideas. It had numerous strategies and ideals related to it. Classical yoga is described via way of means of Patanjali`s Yoga-Sutras and its miles the systematic presentation of Yoga. It consists of the current fashion of Yoga as well. Post-classical yoga is greater than the current approach that targets extended existence and a rejuvenated frame.
The essential goal is to include the frame because of the way to acquire enlightenment. The Modern Period is greater pushed via way of means of Nepali and Indian instructors who have become pioneers and it’s miles pushed via way of means of Western lifestyle as well. There are numerous Yoga Teacher Training to be had in Nepal.
There are Different Types of Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal that offers now no longer have the most effective theoretical understanding but additionally the sensible nuances of the same. It is schooling that is composed of powerfully sequenced and pre-designed magnificent routines. Other than this, the path additionally consists of recommendations on public speaking, a way to save you from injuries, remedy the frame, and make it higher and more potent. The coaching technique consists of exercise and certain routines.
There are numerous styles of applications that are protected in Yoga Training Nepal. Some of the primary ones are as follows:
Hatha Yoga Pradipika: It is the traditional fifteenth-century Sanskrit guide on haṭha yoga.
Yoga Sutra: It consists of exclusive traditions, particularly movement yoga (Kriya yoga) and “8 limb yoga” (aṣṭāṅga yoga).
The Bhagavad Gita: It consists of a few effective coaching of yoga.
One of the excellent Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal is the Himalayan Yoga Academy. If one sincerely desires to unfold the understanding of yoga across the world, one ought to sign up withinside the Yoga Teacher Training path. The path makes a specialty of selling mental, physical, and non-secular health. It is an expert schooling path that consists of all of the asanas and makes a specialty of the classical yoga tradition. Through the program, one improves the non-secular connection and enables withinside the transformation of a person. Through the program, one receives the direction of self and divinity.
Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal is a residential program. A strict ordinary is observed for the duration of the tenure of the path. One has to observe the early to bed, early to upward thrust concept. The college students of the path stay collectively in concord and analyze yoga practices. The skilled and educated instructors impart understanding in each aspect. They are immersed withinside the yogic lifestyle. With near touch with them, one receives to analyze loads of factors and insights into the yogic lifestyle.
Benefits of Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal
- Learn Yoga in the Land of the Himalayas where yoga was born.
- Learn practice with a Community of Yogis from Across the Globe
- Practice Karma Yoga
- Daily Yoga Classes, Meditation, Chanting, Vegetarian Meals, and More!
- Spend Time With the Local Community
- Strengthen Your Hatha and Bhakti Yoga Practice
- Homely environment
- Internationally accredited
- The scientific way of learning
Ashwini Mudra and its amazing benefits
We could never have predicted how much more of an effect our hectic lifestyle and unhealthy habits would have on our health. We now have the ability to undo the harm and embark on a healthy path, thanks to yoga asanas, exercises, and a diet filled with wholesome recipes.
Ashwini Mudra: What is it?
In English, Ashwini Mudra is known as horse motion or horse mudra. Ashwini Mudrayoga, a form of hatha yoga, includes contracting and relaxing the anal sphincter in a way that relieves constipation and hemorrhoids while assisting in bringing pranic energy up to the body. The term “horse mudra” refers to the rhythmic activity that horses engage in regularly, during which they contract and relax the entire pelvic region as well as the buttock muscles, sphincter, and perineum of the body.
How to do Ashwini Mudra: Steps-
The Ashwini Mudra can come in a variety of forms. These are two of them:
Ashwini Mudra (Variety I)
- Sit tall and straight in Padmasana and comfort your body.
- Eyes closed, begin inhaling. Spend a few minutes focusing on your respiration as it occurs naturally.
- Now tense/ contract the anus sphincter muscle for a few seconds, without pulling or straining, and keep the whole body relaxed. Make sure that you only clench in the anal region during this exercise as far as possible.
- Repeat the contraction for about 5 minutes.
- Try to execute the contraction and relaxation cycle as smoothly and rhythmically as you can. You can progressively tighten the constriction even more.
Ashwini Mudra (Variation 2)
Try to sit on a towel that has been rolled up or on your heels for this variation of the Ashwini Mudra. View images of Ashwini Mudra to learn how. The Muladhara Chakra will feel more pressure as a result of this.
Following are the steps for performing Ashwini Mudra Yoga:
Fill the lungs to one-third of their maximum capacity by inhaling. Right now, quickly constrict and relax your anus twice. You should repeat this at least 15 times, roughly. Exhale gradually. 15 times, go through the entire inhalation and muscle contraction procedure. After that, slowly exhale.
Give it another go. For the third and last time, fill the lungs to one-third of their maximum capacity. The last 15 repetitions were spent contracting and relaxing the muscles. Don’t breathe out at this point. Instead, bring the shoulders forward and press the chin with the chest. You’ll feel the heat. Now exhale through your nose to let the stress leave. The energy will be felt throughout your entire body.
Things to Consider
Even though Ashwini Mudra has many excellent advantages, there is something you should keep in mind before doing the exercises. These consist of:
- When a woman is pregnant or menstruating, she shouldn’t practice the Ashwini Mudra.
- It can be used to treat problems like bedwetting and is also a type of yoga for youngsters.
- You should stay away from Ashwini Mudra yoga if you have serious uterine problems.
- Doing Ashwini Mudra asana is not recommended for anyone with conditions such as an enlarged thyroid, slipped disc, enlarged liver, or spleen.
- Do Ashwini Mudra sparingly because doing it repeatedly can have negative effects on your health.
- Never perform the Ashwini Mudra while moving.
- In addition to this, you can perform it while lying down, standing, or in any other position.
- To do the Ashwini Mudra correctly, you shouldn’t merely rely on pictures of it.
- Consult with a yoga specialist for advice.
Advantages of Ashwini Mudra :
- Effective For Piles: Ashwini Mudra promotes healthy digestion in addition to other things. Additionally, it can be a beneficial kind of yoga for conditions associated with the anal and rectum, such as piles, hemorrhoids, and others. The blood circulation throughout the area is improved when you tighten the anal sphincter while performing this stance. This speeds up the process of healing and lessens localized pain and burning. So, if you have piles or another similar condition, we advise you to practice Ashwini Mudra frequently.
- Improved Digestion: One of the key advantages of Ashwini Mudra is improved digestion. The position aids in easing gas and constipation problems. It increases the flow of prana into the internal organs, making them more robust and disease-resistant. If you regularly practice Ashwini Mudra, you may also notice an improvement in your bowel motions.
- Enhances Sexual Health: Ashwini Mudra is frequently used to improve sexual health. Men will particularly benefit from this. The pelvic muscles, perineum, sphincter, and entire pelvic area are repeatedly contracted and relaxed in the Ashwini Mudra pose. These provide the sex muscles additional power and endurance while also strengthening them. Additionally, the position enhances pelvic blood flow, which adds to the pleasure of sex.
What’s next? Additionally, yoga enhances sexual pleasure by arousing the earth and water chakras’ sexual energies.
- Strengthens Uterine Muscles: It has been observed that Ashwini Mudra can assist ladies in resolving any uterine-related health issues. This organ is responsible for growing the fetus and carrying the child until birth. For this reason, uterine muscles need to be powerful. Furthermore, uterine muscles that are strong aid in relaxing the menstrual cycle. It has been shown that performing Ashwini Mudra and Mul Bandha together can strengthen the uterus muscles.
- Reduces Stress and Depression: We live fast-paced lives, which can occasionally cause undue stress. Depression can develop from long-term, constant stress. As you are aware, yoga is effective in battling both stress and depression. In a similar vein, Ashwini Mudra moves. It can support the adrenal gland’s healthy operation and regulate the body’s level of the stress hormone cortisol.
- Beneficial During Pregnancy: Ashwini Mudra asana can also be done to ensure a healthy pregnancy. It is well known for supporting the fetus’ gradually increasing weight. To strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, some women practice this yoga both before and after becoming pregnant.
- Supports Healthy Skin: It may come as a surprise, but Ashwini Mudra can help people achieve healthy, clear skin. It indirectly results in improved skin because it eliminates serious stomach-related disorders. Additionally, it supports a healthy hormonal system and endocrine system, which keeps your skin looking young and vibrant.
The Last Few Words
Now that you know everything there is to know about the horse gesture, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to use by incorporating it into your daily routine. If you are a beginner, it is advised that you obtain professional advice on how to carry out this yoga correctly. This will not only make sure that you get the most out of all the advantages but also protect you from any negative effects that can result from using Ashwini improperly.
Yoga for Depression
What is Depression? Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Learn if Yoga for Depression is helpful or not.
When you are depressed, your concentration decreases, and indecisiveness takes over. All the hobbies and activities you enjoyed previously now don’t seem appealing at all. There will be a significant change in your weight – you either gain it or lose it.
Proper Counseling and psychotherapy are natural remedies but are not as effective as self-realization. Self-control, self-realization, and self-awareness are the basic parameters concerned in YOGA. Hence, Yoga can be beneficial for Depression.
Why Yoga for Depression?
Yoga poses increase blood circulation to the brain and stop the production of those hormones that are causing depression. Yoga does not have any side effects, and this is the best reason it became a better option as compared to other streams of medicine. Hence, Yoga keeps you in a fresh, positive, and calm mood. Here are some poses that help you deal with depression.
Shavasana
This asana relaxes the whole psycho-physiological system. It should ideally be practiced before sleep, before, during, and after asana practice, particularly after dynamic exercises such as Surya namaskar and when the practitioner feels physically and mentally tired. It develops body awareness. When the body is completely relaxed, awareness of the mind increases, developing pratyahara.
Bridge Pose
The Bridge Pose is an accessible backbend that will open your front body and leave you feeling grounded and rejuvenated. It greatly improves the circulation of blood. Helps alleviate stress and mild depression and calms the brain and central nervous system.
Child Pose
Child’s Pose helps to stretch the hips, thighs, and ankles while reducing stress and fatigue. It gently relaxes the muscles on the front of the body while softly and passively stretching the muscles of the back torso.
Reverse Warrior Pose
Reverse Warrior — Viparita Virabhadrasana (VIP-uh-REE-tuh veer-uh-buh-DRAHS-uh-nuh) — is a standing yoga pose that stretches the waist and energizes the whole body. This pose gives your brain a great workout as well. When practiced with mindfulness and awareness, it can be incredibly beneficial for your body.
Ardhakati Chakrasana
It helps clear blockages in the lungs and improves breathing. It increases blood supply to the lateral thoracic muscles as they are stretched.
Pranayama: The regular practice of Pranayama can be quite effective in not only overcoming anxiety and depression among the elderly but also helping them in promoting mental health. It will help them develop a sort of resilience to any kind of mental or physical illness. Pranayams like Bhramari and Nadisodhana help greatly in improving your thinking capacity.
Is Vegan Food Always Healthy?
Why a Vegan Meal? Is Vegan Food always healthy? The recent rise of plant-based food choices around the world is an exciting step towards people choosing to eat and embrace a healthier, more sustainable diet and lifestyle. From a solely dietary perspective, a vegan diet avoids meat, dairy, eggs, seafood, and any foods that have derivatives of animal products. Far from being restrictive, a vegan diet offers abundant choice and creativity. Question: Is Vegan Food Always Healthy
A very healthy, balanced vegan diet will often include all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables. Such as sprouts, nuts and seeds, fresh herbs and spices, seaweeds, sprouted whole grains, legumes and beans, cold-pressed oils like coconut oil or olive oil, nut butters and seed pastes like tahini, nut milks or coconut milks, unprocessed olives and avocado for healthy fats, fermented foods like miso, tempeh, sauerkraut and kimchi, dried fruits, and superfoods.
A vegan meal provides a wide variety of positive benefits. Various scientific studies have shown that a plant-based, whole food diet can lower the risk of various types of illness and disease, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and degenerative brain disease. A well-planned vegan diet has less saturated fat and cholesterol and more vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and phytochemicals such as carotenoids and flavonoids. As a result, veganism can be said to be a perfectly balanced, healthy life.
Compared to meat-eaters, vegans weigh less, have lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and rates of type 2 diabetes. They have a 30 percent lower risk of heart disease and lower cancer rates. Most cases of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and a third of cancers can be avoided by changing to a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, and stopping smoking.
Is vegan food always healthy?
Marketers and advertisers have jumped on the bandwagon with the new trend and popularity of vegan cuisine. Vegan food may still be laden with white sugar, palm oil, additives, preservatives, and poor-quality ingredients. A vegan burger from a fast food chain may be a small step in the right direction, yet it is no substitute for real, fresh, wholesome food that nourishes and fuels your body.
TOP 5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF NAUKASANA
Introduction: HEALTH BENEFITS OF NAUKASANA
Indeed, the science of yoga is a boon for humans in the modern century, where our health is deteriorating at physical, mental, and spiritual levels. The Naukasana, the yoga posture, in which you assume the shape of a boat, is the practice for health.
From helping you to lose extra pounds to waking up the core to strengthening the back muscles, the Naukasana has diverse variations, in all of which you can garner the benefits of boat pose. Here are the TOP 5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF NAUKASANA:
Step by Step performing Naukasana
1: Start the boat pose in a sitting position on a yoga mat.
2: Press the hands into a yoga mat behind the hips, lift through the top of the sternum, and slightly lean back.
3: Try to sit on the tripod of your two sitting bones and tailbone
4: Breathe Out, bend your knees, and keep your thighs at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
5: Gently straighten the knees and raise the feet above eye level.
6: Stretch the arms alongside the legs parallel to the floor.
7: Stay in the Boat Pose for as long as comfortable.
The Top 5 Health Benefits of Naukasana
- Good for our digestive and reproductive systems:
It aids both the upper abdominal organs (pancreas and liver) and the lower abdominal organs (kidney and intestines), thus helping in reducing digestive problems. Helping in the circulation of the blood and oxygen around the abdomen area faster, this pose also enhances the secretion power of the liver and pancreas. For men, it is essentially beneficial because it stimulates the prostate gland which is good for the male reproductive system.
2. Strengthens the Body Muscles:
During the practice of the Naukasana, the arms are stretched in a forwarding direction, the thighs are angled at 45 degrees, the shin is perpendicular to the floor, and the feet are raised up. All these movements cast a stretching and strengthening effect on the diverse muscle group located in the body. In this way, you strengthen your whole body internally helping you manifest a robust look.
3. Very good for diabetic patients:
The health benefits of the Naukasana pose are also reaped by diabetic patients as it essentially works on fixing the sugar levels of the body.
4. Placid Mind:
Like with most yoga asanas, the Naukasana also acts as a distress tool, keeping your mind peaceful and placid. With a calm mind, you can enjoy the present moment, work with alertness, and can have a healthy body.
5. Ideal Weight Loss:
In the Naukasana, you can lose stubborn fat in a healthier and ideal manner. The stretching, compressing, and relaxing of the abdominal organs during the performance of the Boat Pose helps you to lose extra fat around the stomach. The key is to practice the pose regularly with attention to alignment.
With the Naukasana and its variations, develop a healthy body, mind, and soul.
To know about Naukasana in further detail, explore our Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal